Edward hands daughter gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award at palace celebration

The Duke of Edinburgh has presented his daughter with a gold certificate under the award scheme that bears his title at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh.

Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor was one of more than 600 young people whose gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE) achievements were being celebrated with an event at the palace on Friday.

This year also marks the 70th year of the award, which was started by Edward’s father Philip in 1956.

Edward, who became Duke of Edinburgh following Philip’s death, handed his 22-year-old daughter her certificate during an informal ceremony in the palace’s West Drawing Room.

They were accompanied by a group of people who were speaking at the event, including Olympic curler Bruce Mouat and other award recipients.

After speaking about the bronze, silver and gold DofE awards, Edward turned and pointed to his daughter, saying: “We’ve got someone else who’s actually done all three.”

“Just about,” she replied.

The duke asked her if she had ever been given a certificate, and she explained that she had, but that they had arrived in the post.

“I did mine mainly during Covid so they didn’t really award anything, so, nice to get it now,” Lady Louise added.

After ushering Lady Louise across to where the other guests were stood, Edward handed her her framed DofE certificate.

He said: “It’s all a bit staged, but it’s just to prove that you actually did get it.”

As he gave her the certificate he told her: “Many congratulations and very well done.”

In handing Lady Louise her certificate, Edward follows in the footsteps of his own father, the late Prince Philip, who gave him his own certificate at St James’s Palace in 1986.

Edward shared his memory of the event as part of a “digital scrapbook” on the DofE website, marking the 70th anniversary of the award.

In it he said: “One thing that is ingrained on my memory is my gold award celebration.

“Usually, my father would give the bunch of award certificates to a presenter to distribute, but this time he talked to our group, gave me my certificate and then said: ‘Well, since I’ve given you that one, I’ll give you the rest,’ and handed the whole lot to me to hand out.”

Following the ceremony the party headed outside to the gardens, where Edward addressed the assembled award recipients and their friends and families.

He told them: “Just feel a bit proud of what you have managed to achieve. And when you leave this garden, just walk a few inches taller.

“Because there are others out there who will say: ‘Oh, the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, I can do that.’

“The difference is, you know you can. Well done.”

Following speeches from Bruce Mouat and award recipient Isla Ranger, Edward then made his way among the attendees, chatting with award recipients and congratulating them on their achievements.

During her speech, Ms Ranger told the audience she had started the Bronze DofE as she saw it as “a great chance to hang out with my friends and achieve something”.

She went on: “I realised quickly that the award was much more than that and through the sections, I discovered new passions and opportunities.

“Finishing my gold award is not where my journey will end. I hope to continue to volunteer with future expeditions in my local area. The skills I have developed will also stay with me for the rest of my life.”

Helen Anderson, DofE award director for Scotland, said: “It’s an absolute privilege to be celebrating our amazing gold ward holders in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Gardens today – who through their DofE, have shown extraordinary perseverance and resilience, and developed core skills for life.

“It’s incredible to think that 70 years ago, 7,000 young people in the UK started a DofE journey; fast forward to 2026 and this number shoots up to over 345,000.

“As young people navigate an uncertain time, we will continue to champion opportunities that build their confidence, resilience and human skills.”